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The Star
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Former Thai PM Thaksin is genuinely ill and ready to defend himself, says PM Paetongtarn
BANGKOK: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, her father, is genuinely ill and prepared to defend himself through the judicial process. Thaksin is currently under investigation by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions concerning his stay on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital. Last week, the Medical Council of Thailand issued a disciplinary ruling against the doctors involved in the case. The decision is now pending a review by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin. Paetongtarn stated on Tuesday (May 13) that the matter remains unresolved and that no member of the Medical Council has officially confirmed whether or not Thaksin is genuinely ill. She assured the public that everything is proceeding in accordance with judicial procedures. She also clarified that the Medical Council's ruling does not affect Thaksin personally, stating: 'My father is ready to explain the facts as they are.' She added that the government is prepared to provide a clear explanation to the public regarding Thaksin's medical condition prior to his return to Thailand. The Prime Minister stressed that Thaksin's case occurred before she assumed office, and noted that certain parties are trying to create misunderstandings, suggesting that she has interfered in the judicial process. She affirmed that she has no authority to intervene in any way. Paetongtarn acknowledged that the case has affected the Pheu Thai-led government, but insisted: 'What we can do is explain the facts based on evidence and what has actually happened.' She reiterated that Thaksin is indeed ill and confirmed that this position has remained unchanged over the past week. Regarding the disciplinary action taken by the Medical Council, she said the three doctors involved will have the opportunity to provide further clarification during the next phase of the proceedings. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Political power struggles intensify as Thai government faces legal challenges
BANGKOK: The political landscape remains unstable as various factors converge to challenge the Pheu Thai Party-led government under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The administration is navigating a perilous path fraught with internal and external conflicts, particularly in the realm of "lawfare"—the strategic use of legal systems to achieve political objectives. A notable development occurred when the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders rejected a petition from former Democrat Party MP Chanchai Issarasenaruk. He had requested an inquiry into the Department of Corrections' decision to allow former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn's father, to receive medical treatment at the Police General Hospital despite being sentenced to eight years in prison. The court dismissed the petition, stating that Chanchai was neither a party to the case nor directly affected by the enforcement of the sentence. However, the court exercised its own investigative powers, directing Thaksin, the Bangkok Remand Prison Director, the Department of Corrections Director-General, and the Police General Hospital's chief physician to provide evidence within 30 days. A hearing is scheduled for June 13, 2025. This incident has become a significant political issue, with various groups, including the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), led by Phichit Chaimongkol, mobilising to pressure relevant authorities for action. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is also investigating the matter. NACC Secretary-General Saroj Puengramphan reported in March that the case is under examination, with some evidence already collected. Additionally, an ethics investigation is underway concerning the medical professionals who treated Thaksin. The Medical Council is expected to conclude its findings by May 8, 2025. The government's challenges extend beyond legal battles. Allegations of improper share transfers involving Paetongtarn have surfaced, with accusations of "sham transactions" through promissory notes amounting to 4.43 billion baht. The opposition has seized upon this issue, and the House Economic Development Committee, led by Dr Chai Sitthipol of the People's Party, is scrutinising the matter. The Pheu Thai Party has defended the transactions, citing assurances from Pinsai Suraswadi, Director-General of the Revenue Department, that they do not constitute tax evasion. Furthermore, the government faces scrutiny over its policy speech, which allegedly lacked transparency regarding the sources of funding. This has led to calls for the Cabinet's dissolution under Article 162 of the Constitution. While the Election Commission has referred the matter to the Constitutional Court, the outcome remains uncertain. These multifaceted legal and political challenges underscore the precarious position of the Pheu Thai-led government. As it contends with internal power dynamics and external pressures, the administration's ability to navigate these turbulent waters will be critical to its survival. - The Nation/ANN
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thai PM Survives No-Confidence Vote After Thaksin Scrutiny
(Bloomberg) -- Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra survived a no-confidence vote in parliament after a two-day debate where the opposition targeted her over her father's alleged influence on the government and its mismanagement of the economy. They Built a Secret Apartment in a Mall. Now the Mall Is Dying. Why Did the Government Declare War on My Adorable Tiny Truck? Trump Slashed International Aid. Geneva Is Feeling the Impact. Chicago Transit Faces 'Doomsday Scenario,' Regional Agency Says How SUVs Are Making Traffic Worse The no-confidence motion against Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, was defeated as 319 lawmakers voted against it in the 500-member House of Representatives on Wednesday. The motion, brought by the main opposition People's Party, was supported by 162 lawmakers, while seven members abstained from voting. The opposition used the debate to turn the spotlight on Thaksin's 'outside influence' on Paetongtarn's government and list out its alleged missteps in handling economic, security and foreign policy issues. The 38-year-old Paetongtarn, who's also the head of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, lacked the necessary qualifications and was acting only as a proxy for a family member, opposition lawmakers alleged, without naming Thaksin. After the motion was cleared, Paetongtarn took to X to thank all the lawmakers for their participation in the debate. 'Every vote, whether in support or not, will drive me and the cabinet to continue to work for the people,' she said. The censure debate was the biggest test for the ruling coalition consisting of several pro-royalist and military-backed parties that was cobbled together to thwart a pro-reformist party that emerged as a surprise election winner in 2023. The Pheu Thai-led alliance, which commands almost a two-third majority in parliament, was seen as part of a deal with the conservatives that allowed Thaksin to return from a 15-years of self-imposed exile. Since his release from a royally commuted prison sentence for corruption last year, Thaksin, 75, has been accused of meddling in government affairs and directing state policies. Coalition Unity The defeat of the motion also signals that there's no immediate risk to Paetongtarn's six-month old government. Key parties in the coalition have at times tussled over proposals including Pheu Thai's flagship cash handout program to stimulate the economy and a push to legalize casinos. The Shinawatras-backed Pheu Thai has also also butted heads with Bhumjaithai, the second-biggest bloc in the coalition that's widely seen as controlling the upper-house Senate, about whether to re-criminalize or regulate cannabis. All About the Thai Political Clan Now Back in Power: QuickTake Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut alleged that the government exists only to serve a 'deal' that helped bring Thaksin back to Thailand without serving time in jail. The opposition lawmakers also accused the premier of facilitating Thaksin's stay in a police hospital during the entire jail term. Paetongtarn denied any role in Thaksin's return or his subsequent stay in the hospital, saying it happened before she took the office. She said Thaksin had been determined to come back regardless of who was in power. 'As a daughter, I'm completely a daddy's girl,' Paetongtarn told the parliament Tuesday. 'As prime minister, I never use my power to interfere with any agencies or process. You cannot ask me to resign from being a daughter and a mother.' The opposition also used the debate to highlight Paetongtarn administration's shortcomings in resolving the high household debt levels and weak farm product prices. Southeast Asia's second-largest economy grew 2.5% last year, about half the pace of neighboring Indonesia. (Updates with PM's comment in fourth paragraph.) Business Schools Are Back Google Is Searching for an Answer to ChatGPT The Richest Americans Kept the Economy Booming. What Happens When They Stop Spending? A New 'China Shock' Is Destroying Jobs Around the World How TD Became America's Most Convenient Bank for Money Launderers ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thai PM faces censure motion as opposition takes aim at father's influence
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces a no-confidence motion in parliament starting on Monday, with the opposition set to grill her over an underperforming economy and her powerful father's perceived influence over her administration. Despite lukewarm ratings in opinion polls, Paetongtarn comes into the debate in a firm position, with no signs of turmoil in a ruling coalition that commands a parliamentary majority, making it unlikely the motion will prosper when it goes to a vote on Wednesday. The opposition People's Party has accused Paetongtarn of taking direction from her father, divisive political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire former premier who is banned from holding office over a conviction for conflicts of interest and abuse of power that kept him in self-exile for 15 years. Thaksin, Thailand's most influential and polarising politician, has loomed large over Thai politics for the past 24 years. He returned home in 2023 and spent six months in detention in hospital under a government led by the Pheu Thai Party he founded, before being released on parole. He has spoken openly and frequently about policies that include legalising gambling and adopting cryptocurrency and championed a $14 billion handout scheme to stimulate the economy, all of which the Pheu Thai-led government has pursued. Paetongtarn has insisted her government is not under anyone's influence, while Thaksin, 75, has said he is retired and only offers advice. The government's economic measures so far have yet to spur significant growth in Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, with last year's 2.5% expansion far adrift of regional peers. The anchors to growth including structural issues and household debt of 16.34 trillion baht ($486 billion), or 89.0% of gross domestic product, among the highest ratios in Asia, which the opposition says the government is not addressing. Lawmakers will be unable to name Thaksin during the motion due to parliamentary rules that say outsiders should not be mentioned. After weeks of debate on the issue, the house speaker has allowed "family member" to be used. "The opposition's tactic to delegitimise Paetongtarn's leadership is not new because she already faces criticism from society," said Yuttaporn Issarachai, a political scientist at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University "The focus on Thaksin's role and interference makes it too political and not beneficial to public, instead of raising issues on the economy and security," Yuttaporn said. Paetongtarn, 38, took over as premier in August after political ally Srettha Thavisin was ousted by a court over an ethics violation. She is the fourth member of the Shinawatra family to hold the top post.
Reuters
24-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Thai PM faces censure motion as opposition takes aim at father's influence
BANGKOK, March 24 (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces a no-confidence motion in parliament starting on Monday, with the opposition set to grill her over an underperforming economy and her powerful father's perceived influence over her administration. Despite lukewarm ratings in opinion polls, Paetongtarn comes into the debate in a firm position, with no signs of turmoil in a ruling coalition that commands a parliamentary majority, making it unlikely the motion will prosper when it goes to a vote on Wednesday. The opposition People's Party has accused Paetongtarn of taking direction from her father, divisive political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire former premier who is banned from holding office over a conviction for conflicts of interest and abuse of power that kept him in self-exile for 15 years. Thaksin, Thailand's most influential and polarising politician, has loomed large over Thai politics for the past 24 years. He returned home in 2023 and spent six months in detention in hospital under a government led by the Pheu Thai Party he founded, before being released on parole. He has spoken openly and frequently about policies that include legalising gambling and adopting cryptocurrency and championed a $14 billion handout scheme to stimulate the economy, all of which the Pheu Thai-led government has pursued. Paetongtarn has insisted her government is not under anyone's influence, while Thaksin, 75, has said he is retired and only offers advice. The government's economic measures so far have yet to spur significant growth in Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, with last year's 2.5% expansion far adrift of regional peers. The anchors to growth including structural issues and household debt of 16.34 trillion baht ($486 billion), or 89.0% of gross domestic product, among the highest ratios in Asia, which the opposition says the government is not addressing. Lawmakers will be unable to name Thaksin during the motion due to parliamentary rules that say outsiders should not be mentioned. After weeks of debate on the issue, the house speaker has allowed "family member" to be used. "The opposition's tactic to delegitimise Paetongtarn's leadership is not new because she already faces criticism from society," said Yuttaporn Issarachai, a political scientist at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University "The focus on Thaksin's role and interference makes it too political and not beneficial to public, instead of raising issues on the economy and security," Yuttaporn said. Paetongtarn, 38, took over as premier in August after political ally Srettha Thavisin was ousted by a court over an ethics violation. She is the fourth member of the Shinawatra family to hold the top post.
